Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A computing system, comprising: a processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the computing system to: detect a request to reply to a first message in an electronic mail (email) thread; based on the request, open a second message, comprising a user-generated reply to the first message, in a user interface display having: a message generation user input mechanism configured to generate content in the second message; and a send actuator that is actuatable to send the second message; after the second message is opened in the user interface display, and before the send actuator is actuated to send the second message, detect receipt of a third message, comprising a response message that is associated with the first message in the email thread; and in response to detecting user actuation of the send actuator and that recipients on the third message comprise a superset of recipient on the first message, automatically perform each of: a reply all operation that automatically generates a fourth message that comprises a reply to the third message; a move operation to automatically move the generated content in the second message to the fourth message that comprises a reply to the third message; and a send operation to automatically send the fourth message after the generated content of the second message has been moved to the fourth message.
This invention relates to email systems that improve message management by automatically handling replies when new messages arrive in an email thread. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of manually updating replies when additional responses are received, which can lead to redundant or outdated content being sent. The system includes a processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed, enable the following functions. When a user requests to reply to a first message in an email thread, a second message is opened in a user interface, allowing the user to generate a reply. The interface includes input mechanisms for composing the reply and a send button to transmit the message. If a third message (a response to the first message) is received while the second message is still open but not yet sent, the system detects this and checks if the recipients of the third message include all recipients of the first message. If so, upon the user sending the second message, the system automatically performs three actions: it generates a fourth message as a reply to the third message, moves the content from the second message into the fourth message, and sends the fourth message. This ensures that the latest response in the thread is addressed, reducing the need for manual adjustments.
2. The computing system of claim 1 wherein performing the move operation comprises copying message body content from the second message to the fourth message.
A computing system is designed to manage message data within a communication platform, addressing inefficiencies in message handling and data integrity. The system includes a database storing message data, where each message is associated with a unique identifier and contains metadata and a message body. The system performs operations such as moving messages between folders or users while preserving the original message content and metadata. When executing a move operation, the system copies the message body content from a source message to a destination message. This ensures that the original message data remains intact while allowing the destination message to inherit the content. The system also maintains metadata associations, such as timestamps and sender information, to ensure consistency across operations. This approach prevents data loss and maintains the integrity of message records during transfers, improving reliability in communication platforms. The system may also include additional features like conflict resolution and user interface updates to enhance usability.
3. The computing system of claim 1 wherein performing the move operation comprises moving an attachment from being attached to the second message to being attached to the fourth message.
This invention relates to computing systems for managing message attachments in electronic communication platforms. The problem addressed is the inefficiency and complexity of manually reattaching files or documents to different messages, particularly when messages are moved or copied between folders or users. The system automates the transfer of attachments between messages to ensure data integrity and reduce user effort. The computing system includes a message management module that processes move operations between messages. When a user moves a first message from a first folder to a second folder, the system identifies a second message in the first folder and a third message in the second folder. The system then performs a move operation that transfers an attachment from the second message to a fourth message in the second folder. This ensures that relevant attachments remain accessible in the correct context without manual intervention. The system may also track attachment metadata, such as timestamps or user permissions, to maintain consistency during the transfer process. The invention improves workflow efficiency by reducing the need for users to manually reattach files and minimizes errors in attachment management.
4. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: generate a user notification indicative of the third message being detected.
A computing system monitors communication data to detect potentially harmful or inappropriate messages exchanged between users. The system analyzes messages in real-time to identify content that may violate predefined rules, such as offensive language, threats, or sensitive information. When a message is flagged, the system generates an alert to notify users or administrators about the detected content. The notification may include details about the message, such as its source, destination, and the specific rule violation. This helps users and administrators take appropriate action, such as blocking the sender, modifying privacy settings, or reviewing the communication. The system may also log the incident for further analysis or compliance reporting. The notification mechanism ensures timely awareness of potential risks, enhancing security and compliance in digital communication environments. The system operates across various communication platforms, including messaging apps, email, and social media, to provide comprehensive monitoring and protection.
5. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the instructions configure the computing system to: group messages into the email thread based on at least one of: message recipient information, or message ancestor information.
This invention relates to computing systems for organizing email messages into threads. The problem addressed is the difficulty of accurately grouping related email messages into coherent threads, particularly when messages lack clear hierarchical or recipient-based connections. The system improves upon prior art by using a combination of message recipient information and message ancestor information to determine thread membership. Message recipient information includes data such as shared recipients or distribution lists, while message ancestor information refers to the hierarchical relationships between messages, such as replies or forwards. By analyzing these factors, the system ensures that messages are grouped logically, even when traditional threading methods fail. The system may also include a user interface for displaying the organized threads, allowing users to view and interact with emails in a structured manner. This approach enhances email management by reducing clutter and improving navigation within large email conversations. The invention is particularly useful in enterprise environments where email threads often involve multiple participants and complex reply chains.
6. The computing system of claim 1 , wherein each of the reply all operation, the move operation, and the send operation are automatically performed without further user input after the user actuation of the send actuator.
This invention relates to computing systems that automate email operations to improve efficiency. The problem addressed is the need for users to manually perform multiple email actions, such as replying to all recipients, moving messages, or sending emails, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. The solution involves a computing system that automatically executes these operations without requiring additional user input after an initial action. The system includes a user interface with an actuator, such as a button or command, that initiates a sequence of automated operations. When the user activates this actuator, the system performs a reply-all operation, which sends a response to all recipients of the original message. Additionally, the system automatically moves the original message to a designated folder, such as an archive or sent folder, to organize the user's inbox. Finally, the system sends a new email message, which may include predefined content or attachments, without requiring the user to manually compose or send it. The automation ensures that these operations are completed seamlessly, reducing the need for repetitive manual steps. The system may also include features to customize the automated operations, such as selecting specific folders for message movement or defining the content of the sent email. This approach enhances productivity by minimizing user interaction while maintaining control over the email workflow.
7. The computing system of claim 1 wherein, the move operation is automatically performed without displaying the move operation in the user interface display.
A computing system is designed to manage data objects in a user interface, where a move operation is executed to relocate a data object from a source location to a destination location. The system includes a user interface display that presents the data objects and their locations, along with input mechanisms for selecting and moving the objects. The move operation is triggered by user input, such as a drag-and-drop action or a command, and the system processes this operation by updating the data object's position in memory or storage. The system also ensures that the move operation is performed automatically without displaying the move operation in the user interface display, meaning the user does not see the intermediate steps or visual feedback of the move action. This allows for a seamless and uninterrupted user experience, particularly in applications where visual clutter or delays during object movement could be disruptive. The system may also include validation checks to confirm the move operation is valid before execution, such as verifying the destination location is accessible or that the user has permission to perform the move. The automatic execution without visual display is particularly useful in high-performance or real-time applications where minimizing interface delays is critical.
8. A computer-implemented method, comprising: detecting a request to reply to a first message in an electronic mail (email) thread; based on the request, opening a second message, comprising a user-generated reply to the first message, in a user interface display having: a message generation user input mechanism configured to generate content in the second message; and a send actuator that is actuatable to send the second message; after the second message is opened in the user interface display, and before the send actuator is actuated to send the second message, detecting receipt of a third message, comprising a response message that is associated with the first message in the email thread; and in response to detecting user actuation of the send actuator and that recipients on the third message comprise a superset of recipients on the first message, automatically executing a reply all operation that automatically generates a fourth message that comprises a reply to the third message, and automatically moving the generated content in the second message to the fourth message that comprises a reply to the third message, and automatically sending the fourth message to one or more recipients associated with the fourth message.
This invention relates to email communication systems, specifically improving the efficiency of replying to messages in an email thread. The problem addressed is the inefficiency when a user drafts a reply to a message in a thread, but before sending it, a new message is received that expands the recipient list. The invention automates the process of updating the reply to include all recipients from the latest message, ensuring all relevant parties receive the response without manual intervention. The method involves detecting a user's request to reply to a first message in an email thread, which opens a draft reply (second message) in a user interface. The interface includes input mechanisms for composing the reply and a send button. While the draft is open but unsent, the system detects a new incoming message (third message) that is part of the same thread. If the user then sends the draft reply, the system checks whether the third message's recipients include all recipients of the first message. If so, the system automatically converts the draft into a reply to the third message (fourth message), transfers the draft content into this new reply, and sends it to all recipients of the third message. This ensures the reply is sent to the most up-to-date recipient list without requiring the user to manually adjust the recipients or re-compose the message. The invention streamlines email communication by reducing redundant steps and ensuring complete recipient coverage.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 wherein automatically moving the content comprises: copying message body content from the user-generated reply message to the fourth message.
This invention relates to a computer-implemented method for managing message content in a communication system, particularly for improving the efficiency of message composition by automating content transfer between messages. The problem addressed is the manual effort required to copy and paste content from one message to another, which can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially in environments where users frequently reference or reuse content from previous messages. The method involves a system that automatically moves content from a user-generated reply message to a new message, eliminating the need for manual copying. Specifically, the system identifies a reply message containing user-generated content and automatically copies the message body from this reply to a new message, ensuring the content is preserved without manual intervention. This automation streamlines workflows in communication platforms, such as email or messaging applications, where users often need to reference or reuse content from prior exchanges. The method may also include additional steps, such as detecting user input to trigger the content transfer or validating the content before copying to ensure accuracy. The system may further support conditional copying, where content is transferred only if certain criteria are met, such as the presence of specific keywords or formatting. This approach enhances productivity by reducing repetitive tasks and minimizing errors in content transfer.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 wherein automatically moving the content comprises: moving attachments from being attached to the user-generated reply message to being attached to the fourth message.
This invention relates to a computer-implemented method for managing message attachments in a communication system, particularly addressing the challenge of attachment handling in threaded conversations. The method involves detecting a user-generated reply message in a message thread, where the reply message includes one or more attachments. The system then automatically moves these attachments from the reply message to a preceding message in the thread, ensuring attachments remain logically associated with the original context rather than the reply. This prevents attachment loss or misplacement when replies are edited, deleted, or filtered. The method also includes verifying attachment compatibility with the target message and preserving metadata such as timestamps and sender information. The system may further notify users of the attachment transfer to maintain transparency. This approach improves attachment management in collaborative environments by maintaining context and reducing user effort in tracking or reattaching files. The invention is particularly useful in email, messaging platforms, or collaborative software where threaded conversations are common.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 wherein and further comprising: generating a user notification indicative of the third message being detected.
This invention relates to computer-implemented methods for detecting and responding to specific messages in a communication system. The method involves monitoring a communication channel for incoming messages, analyzing the content of these messages to identify a third message that meets predefined criteria, and generating a user notification when such a message is detected. The predefined criteria may include specific keywords, patterns, or other characteristics that distinguish the third message from other messages. The notification alerts the user to the presence of the detected message, enabling timely action. The method may also involve processing the third message to extract relevant information or trigger additional automated responses. The system ensures that users are promptly informed of important or relevant messages, improving communication efficiency and responsiveness. The invention is particularly useful in environments where timely detection of specific messages is critical, such as customer support, security monitoring, or automated workflows. The method enhances user awareness and facilitates automated handling of detected messages, reducing manual intervention and improving system performance.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 and further comprising: grouping messages into the email thread based on message recipient information and based on message ancestor information.
Email thread organization systems often struggle to accurately group related messages, particularly when recipients or message structures vary. This invention addresses the problem by improving email thread grouping through a computer-implemented method that analyzes both recipient information and message ancestry. The method first identifies message recipient data, such as shared recipients or distribution lists, to determine potential thread connections. It then examines message ancestor information, which includes parent-child relationships in message hierarchies, to further refine grouping. By combining these two factors, the system can more reliably associate messages into coherent threads, even when traditional methods fail due to incomplete or inconsistent metadata. The method may also incorporate additional techniques from earlier steps, such as analyzing message content or timestamps, to enhance accuracy. This approach ensures that email threads are organized logically, improving user experience and productivity by reducing manual sorting and misclassification. The solution is particularly valuable in enterprise environments where email volume and complexity are high.
13. A method performed by a computing system, the method comprising: detecting a request to reply to a first message in an electronic mail (email) thread; based on the request, opening a second message, comprising a user-generated reply to the first message, in a user interface display having: a message generation user input mechanism configured to generate content in the second message; and a send actuator that is actuatable to send the second message; after the second message is opened in the user interface display, and before the send actuator is actuated to send the second reply message, detecting receipt of a third message, comprising a response message that is associated with the first message in the email thread; and in response to detecting user actuation of the send actuator and that recipients on the third message comprise a superset of recipients on the first message, automatically performing each of: a reply all operation to automatically generate a fourth message, that comprises a reply to the third message; a move operation to automatically move the generated content in the second message to the fourth message that comprises a reply to the third message; and a send operation to automatically send the fourth message after the generated content of the second message has been moved to the fourth message.
This invention relates to email management systems that improve efficiency in email thread responses. The problem addressed is the inefficiency when a user drafts a reply to an email in a thread, but before sending it, another response is received from a recipient who was also on the original message. In such cases, the user must manually draft a new reply to the latest message, incorporating their previously drafted content, which is time-consuming and error-prone. The system detects a user's request to reply to an initial email in a thread and opens a draft reply in a user interface with input fields for composing the response and a send button. While the draft is open but not yet sent, if a new message is received in the thread from a recipient who was also on the original email, the system automatically performs several actions when the user attempts to send the draft. It generates a new reply to the latest message, transfers the content from the original draft into this new reply, and sends it. This ensures the response is directed to the most recent message in the thread while preserving the user's drafted content, reducing manual effort and preventing misdirected replies. The solution is particularly useful in collaborative environments where email threads involve multiple participants and frequent updates.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein each of the reply all operation, the move operation, and the send operation are automatically performed without further user input after the user actuation of the send actuator.
This invention relates to automated email handling in a messaging system, specifically addressing the inefficiency of manual user input for common email operations. The system automates multiple email actions—such as replying to all recipients, moving an email to a designated folder, and sending a new email—without requiring additional user input after an initial action. The method involves detecting user actuation of a send actuator (e.g., a button or command) and automatically executing a sequence of predefined operations. These operations include generating a reply-all message to all recipients of the original email, moving the original email to a specified folder, and sending a new email to a predefined recipient. The automation streamlines workflow by eliminating repetitive manual steps, reducing user effort and potential errors. The system may also include conditional logic to adjust the automated operations based on email content or user preferences. This approach is particularly useful in environments where consistent email handling is critical, such as customer support or team collaboration. The invention improves efficiency by integrating multiple actions into a single user interaction, minimizing interruptions and enhancing productivity.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the move operation, is automatically performed without displaying the move operation in the user interface display.
This invention relates to a method for performing move operations in a user interface without displaying the operation to the user. The method involves detecting a user input that triggers a move operation, such as selecting and dragging an object. Instead of visually showing the move operation in the user interface, the system automatically executes the move without displaying the intermediate steps. This approach reduces visual clutter and improves efficiency by eliminating unnecessary animations or feedback. The method may also include determining the target location for the move operation based on predefined rules or user preferences, ensuring the object is placed correctly without requiring manual confirmation. The system may further validate the move operation to prevent errors, such as moving an object to an invalid location. This technique is particularly useful in applications where rapid, seamless interactions are preferred, such as in productivity software or gaming environments. By automating the move operation and hiding it from the user, the system enhances responsiveness and reduces cognitive load.
16. The method of claim 13 , and further comprising: grouping messages into the email thread based on at least one of: message recipient information, or message ancestor information.
Email thread management systems often struggle to accurately group related messages, leading to fragmented conversations and reduced user productivity. This invention addresses the problem by providing a method for organizing email messages into coherent threads based on recipient and ancestor information. The method involves analyzing email metadata to identify relationships between messages. Specifically, it examines recipient information, such as shared recipients or distribution lists, to determine if messages belong to the same conversation. Additionally, it evaluates ancestor information, which tracks the lineage of replies and forwards, to establish message hierarchy and context. By combining these factors, the system dynamically groups messages into logical threads, ensuring related communications are displayed together. The method improves upon existing solutions by reducing manual sorting and enhancing thread accuracy. It supports both direct replies and forwarded messages, even when recipient lists differ. The system can also handle edge cases, such as messages with partial recipient overlaps or indirect reply chains. This approach ensures users can easily follow conversations without missing critical context, improving efficiency in both personal and professional email workflows.
17. The method of claim 13 , and further comprising: generating a user notification indicative of the third message being detected.
A system and method for detecting and responding to specific messages in a communication network. The technology addresses the problem of identifying and flagging certain types of messages, such as spam, abusive content, or unauthorized communications, within a messaging system. The method involves monitoring incoming messages for predefined criteria, such as keywords, patterns, or sender information, to determine if a message matches a set of detection rules. When a message is identified as meeting these criteria, it is classified as a third message, distinct from other types of messages. The system then generates a user notification to alert the recipient or an administrator that such a message has been detected. This notification may include details about the message, such as its content, sender, or timestamp, to facilitate further action. The method may also involve logging the detected message for record-keeping or analysis purposes. The notification can be delivered through various channels, such as email, in-app alerts, or system logs, depending on the configuration. The goal is to enhance security, compliance, and user experience by proactively identifying and flagging potentially harmful or unwanted messages.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein performing the move operation comprises at least one of: copying message body content from the second message to the fourth message, or moving an attachment from being attached to the second message to being attached to the fourth message.
This invention relates to message management systems, specifically methods for transferring content between electronic messages. The problem addressed is the inefficiency and complexity of manually copying or moving message content, such as text or attachments, between different messages in a messaging system. The invention provides an automated method to streamline this process, reducing user effort and potential errors. The method involves selecting a first message and a second message from a messaging system, where the second message contains content to be transferred. A third message is then generated based on the first message, and a fourth message is generated based on the second message. The key improvement is in the move operation, which can either copy the body content from the second message to the fourth message or move an attachment from the second message to the fourth message. This ensures that the content is accurately transferred without manual intervention, preserving the integrity of the original messages while simplifying the user experience. The method is particularly useful in environments where message content needs to be reorganized or consolidated efficiently, such as in email systems or collaboration platforms.
Unknown
January 28, 2020
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